 This is the beginning, the pushing off, the setting out.  It is here that the voyage commences and we set our sights on new horizons and far off vistas.  This podcast is where I tell you what this whole thing's about: who your guide is, the vehicle we'll be traveling in and where we might be going.  It's a journey with a thousand or more steps and this is the first one.

This is the beginning, the pushing off, the setting out.  It is here that the voyage commences and we set our sights on new horizons and far off vistas. This podcast is where I tell you what this whole thing's about: who your guide is, the vehicle we'll be traveling in and where we might be going.  It's a journey with a thousand or more steps and this is the first one.

Episode 0-Setting Out

A discussion of why studying science is not only useful but necessary in today's world along with an explanation of inquiry and a brief tour of different fields and types of scientific research.

A discussion of why studying science is not only useful but necessary in today's world along with an explanation of inquiry and a brief tour of different fields and types of scientific research.

Episode 1.1-Science As Inquiry

A discussion of three attributes that characterize scientific inquiry and distinguish it from from other types of research.  This includes a discussion of of the three levels of information gathering and methods of scientific communication.

A discussion of three attributes that characterize scientific inquiry and distinguish it from from other types of research.  This includes a discussion of of the three levels of information gathering and methods of scientific communication.

Episode 1.2: Those Things Necessary

A discussion of the progress of scientific ideas from hypotheses to laws to theories.  What makes each one different from the others and how does an idea start as a hypothesis and end up as a theory.

A discussion of the progress of scientific ideas from hypotheses to laws to theories.  What makes each one different from the others and how does an idea start as a hypothesis and end up as a theory.

Episode 1.3: What's The Big Idea?

Tools and structures scientists use to move ideas forward and do scientific reasoning.  Models and organizing principles are discussed as is serendipity.  Basic reasoning structure is explained through deductive, inductive and abductive methods.

Tools and structures scientists use to move ideas forward and do scientific reasoning.  Models and organizing principles are discussed as is serendipity.  Basic reasoning structure is explained through deductive, inductive and abductive methods.

Episode 1.4: Tools of the Trade

Unscripted thoughts on the landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P.

Unscripted thoughts on the landing of the Philae probe on comet 67P.

Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: Thoughts on Rosetta

A discussion about some of the misconceptions people have about scientific inquiry and those who pursue it.  Topics include creativity in science, the moral obligation of science and scientism.

A discussion about some of the misconceptions people have about scientific inquiry and those who pursue it.  Topics include creativity in science, the moral obligation of science and scientism.

Episode 1.5: Misconceptions About Scientific Inquiry

This podcast introduces a new series on the history of the atom and begins the discussion with the ideas of the earliest Greek philosophers beginning with Thales and culminating with the atomism of Democritus.

This podcast introduces a new series on the history of the atom and begins the discussion with the ideas of the earliest Greek philosophers beginning with Thales and culminating with the atomism of Democritus.

Episode 2.1: The Philosophical Atom

Here we work through the responses to Democritus' atomism by Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus.

Here we work through the responses to Democritus' atomism by Plato, Aristotle and Epicurus.

Episode 2.2:  The Athenian Response

In this episode, we look at how atomism survives 1500 years of opposition and neglect to reemerge after The Great Mortality.

In this episode, we look at how atomism survives 1500 years of opposition and neglect to reemerge after The Great Mortality.

Episode 2.3: The Long Leap Forward

An examination of scientific inquiry through a discussion of the history and philosophy of the scientific endeavor.

Much new information; better yet, new ways of thinking about the interconnections of what I already thought I knew well.

One critique is that the Indus Valley civilization knew some of what the Ancient Greeks did, just 2000 years before; please trace those ideas all the way back.

Great podcast

Great Podcast

The Scientific Odyssey

In this episode we consider several possible solutions to Hume's Problem of Induction including William Whewell's description of scientific inquiry, the hypothetico-deductive methods and Karl Popper's falsifiability criterion.

In this episode we consider several possible solutions to Hume's Problem of Induction including William Whewell's description of scientific inquiry, the hypothetico-deductive methods and Karl Popper's falsifiability criterion.

Episode 4.2: Hypothetically Speaking

In this episode, we trace the development of Hellenistic geography from the work of Polybius, through Strabo, to its conclusion with Claudius Ptolemaeus.

In this episode, we trace the development of Hellenistic geography from the work of Polybius, through Strabo, to its conclusion with Claudius Ptolemaeus.

Episode 5.8: Heaven and Earth

Wherein we prepare to once again slip our lines in search of new knowledge.  We discuss the effects of modern technologies and what is gained and lost in their use.

Wherein we prepare to once again slip our lines in search of new knowledge.  We discuss the effects of modern technologies and what is gained and lost in their use.

Episode 5.1: Uncharted Waters

Supplemental-Erwin Schrodinger

A discussion of the life and scientific work of Erwin Schrodinger.  Specific attention is paid to the "gedankenexperiment" known as "Schrodinger's Cat" and the implications for the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.

A discussion of the life and scientific work of Erwin Schrodinger.  Specific attention is paid to the "gedankenexperiment" known as "Schrodinger's Cat" and the implications for the Copenhagen interpretation of quantum mechanics.

Episode 2.25.1: Supplemental-Erwin Schrodinger and the World's Most Famous Cat

A discussion of the work of Paul Dirac to produce the relativistic wave equationand the discovery of anti-matter as he theorized by Carl David Anderson.

A discussion of the work of Paul Dirac to produce the relativistic wave equationand the discovery of anti-matter as he theorized by Carl David Anderson.

Episode 2.17: Of Matter and Anti-Matter

Wherein we look at mapping as a human activity and begin our exploration of the evidence of the earliest maps known.

Wherein we look at mapping as a human activity and begin our exploration of the evidence of the earliest maps known.

Episode 5.2: Defining Space

In our second episode devoted to the life and work of Edmond Halley, we recount his three voyages aboard the Paramour to create a map of magnetic variation and survey the tides and currents of the English Channel.  We also cover his predictions on the return of the comet of 1682, now known as Halley's Comet, his discovery of the proper motion of the stars, his translation of the works of Apollonius, and his work as Britain's Astronomer Royale among a host of other accomplishments.

In our second episode devoted to the life and work of Edmond Halley, we recount his three voyages aboard the Paramour to create a map of magnetic variation and survey the tides and currents of the English Channel.  We also cover his predictions on the return of the comet of 1682, now known as Halley's Comet, his discovery of the proper motion of the stars, his translation of the works of Apollonius, and his work as Britain's Astronomer Royale among a host of other accomplishments.

Episode 3.27.7: Supplemental-Edmond Halley-Gentleman Adventurer

A discussion of the development fo renomalization to save quantum field theory from the problem of the various infinties that arise in it.  Particular focus is devoted to the work of Hans Bethe, Sin-Itiro Tomonaga, Julian Schwinger, Richard Feynamn, Freeman Dyson and Ernst Stueckelberg.

A discussion of the development fo renomalization to save quantum field theory from the problem of the various infinties that arise in it.  Particular focus is devoted to the work of Hans Bethe, Sin-Itiro Tomonaga, Julian Schwinger, Richard Feynamn, Freeman Dyson and Ernst Stueckelberg.

Episode 2.22: Renormalization

In this episode we look at the work in mathematics and physics of Isaac Newton from his time at the University of Cambridge to the publication of the Philosophae Naturalis Principia Naturalis or "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy".  Specifically we look at the development of fluxional calculus, the Universal Law of Gravitation and Newton's Three Laws of Motion.

In this episode we look at the work in mathematics and physics of Isaac Newton from his time at the University of Cambridge to the publication of the Philosophae Naturalis Principia Naturalis or "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy".  Specifically we look at the development of fluxional calculus, the Universal Law of Gravitation and Newton's Three Laws of Motion.

Episode 3.27: A New Physics

This week we look at the period of Albert Einstein's life from 1905-1913 as he moved from one position to another on his rise among the European physics community

This week we look at the period of Albert Einstein's life from 1905-1913 as he moved from one position to another on his rise among the European physics community

Episode 3.50.6: Supplemental-Einstein's Angels

William Herschel

William Herschel was a Hanoverian musician turned British astronomer.  In this episode we look at his journey from military band oboist to the court astronomer of King George III.  Along the way we look at his work as a composer and orchestral director, his entry into the field of astronomical instrument construction and his bringing of the techniques of natural history to astronomical investigation. We also discuss telescope design, what's the best telescope for a beginner to invest in and the idea of scientific serendipity.

William Herschel was a Hanoverian musician turned British astronomer.  In this episode we look at his journey from military band oboist to the court astronomer of King George III.  Along the way we look at his work as a composer and orchestral director, his entry into the field of astronomical instrument construction and his bringing of the techniques of natural history to astronomical investigation. We also discuss telescope design, what's the best telescope for a beginner to invest in and the idea of scientific serendipity.

Episode 3.29.1: Supplemental-William Herschel and the Discovery of Uranus

Paul Dirac

In this episode we take a look at the early life and education of engineer, mathematician and physicist Paul Dirac.

In this episode we take a look at the early life and education of engineer, mathematician and physicist Paul Dirac.

Episode 2.17.1: Supplemental-Paul Dirac, The Mathematician

A discussion of both the theoretical and experimental work of Enrico Fermi in the field of nuclear physics.  Additional material on the invention of the cyclotron by Ernest O. Lawrence and the first creation of artificial radioactivity by Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie.

A discussion of both the theoretical and experimental work of Enrico Fermi in the field of nuclear physics.  Additional material on the invention of the cyclotron by Ernest O. Lawrence and the first creation of artificial radioactivity by Irene and Frederic Joliot-Curie.

Episode 2.19: Into the Nucleus

Supplemental-Albert Einstein

When Einstein moved to Berlin in 1914, he entered into a period of intense turmoil, both in his scientific work and in his personal life.  In this episode, we take a look at the factors that led him to Berlin and what transpired once he got there.

When Einstein moved to Berlin in 1914, he entered into a period of intense turmoil, both in his scientific work and in his personal life.  In this episode, we take a look at the factors that led him to Berlin and what transpired once he got there.

Episode 3.50.7: Supplemental-Albert Einstein, The Best and Worst of Times

Isaac Newton

In part 1 of our multipart biography of the father of physics, we look at the life of Isaac Newton from his early years in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire through his grammar school days to his time at Trinity College, Cambridge.  We take some time to specifically look at the cultural and religious background that influenced his upbringing as well as his work on vision, color, light and optics.

In part 1 of our multipart biography of the father of physics, we look at the life of Isaac Newton from his early years in Woolsthorpe, Lincolnshire through his grammar school days to his time at Trinity College, Cambridge.  We take some time to specifically look at the cultural and religious background that influenced his upbringing as well as his work on vision, color, light and optics.

Episode 3.27.1: Supplemental-Isaac Newton, The Miracle Years

In this episode we discuss the development of the first quantum field theories including quantum electrodynamics for the electromagnetic interaction, quantum flavordynamics for the weak interaction and quantum chromodynamics for the strong interaction.  We also touch on the work of Enrico Fermi and Hideki Yukawa.

In this episode we discuss the development of the first quantum field theories including quantum electrodynamics for the electromagnetic interaction, quantum flavordynamics for the weak interaction and quantum chromodynamics for the strong interaction.  We also touch on the work of Enrico Fermi and Hideki Yukawa.

Episode 2.18: Of Fields and Particles

In the words of physicist John Wheeler,  “In all the history of human thought, there is no greater dialogue than that which took place over the years between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein about the meaning of the quantum.” In this episode of the Scientific Odyssey we explore the relationship between the two men that began through journal articles on light quantum and the atom, was further entwined through Nobel Prizes awarded together and continued through debates shared in letters, papers and at scientific meetings.

In the words of physicist John Wheeler,  “In all the history of human thought, there is no greater dialogue than that which took place over the years between Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein about the meaning of the quantum.” In this episode of the Scientific Odyssey we explore the relationship between the two men that began through journal articles on light quantum and the atom, was further entwined through Nobel Prizes awarded together and continued through debates shared in letters, papers and at scientific meetings.

Episode 3.50.9: Supplemental-Albert Einstein, Entanglement

In 1896, Albert Einstein enrolled in the teacher preparation program for physics and mathematics at the Zurich Polytechnic.  We look at the events that brought him to that point and what transpired while he was a student there, including the beginning of his romantic relationship with Mileva Maric.

In 1896, Albert Einstein enrolled in the teacher preparation program for physics and mathematics at the Zurich Polytechnic.  We look at the events that brought him to that point and what transpired while he was a student there, including the beginning of his romantic relationship with Mileva Maric.

Episode 3.50.2: Supplemental-Albert Einstein, The Bourgeois Bohemian, Part 1

In this episode, we look at the development of a theoretical model of electron behavior for Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom by Niels Bohr.  We begin with a brief introduction to light and spectra before considering the groundbreaking work of Max Planck and Albert Einstein and then finally to Bohr's radical solution to electron behavior around a nucleus.  This is the first episode in the series where things get really strange.

In this episode, we look at the development of a theoretical model of electron behavior for Rutherford's nuclear model of the atom by Niels Bohr.  We begin with a brief introduction to light and spectra before considering the groundbreaking work of Max Planck and Albert Einstein and then finally to Bohr's radical solution to electron behavior around a nucleus.  This is the first episode in the series where things get really strange.

Episode 2.13: The Quantum Atom

In this episode, we discuss the development and use of basic navigational tools and how they lead to map knowledge in ancient cultures.

In this episode, we discuss the development and use of basic navigational tools and how they lead to map knowledge in ancient cultures.

Episode 5.3: Dead Reckoning

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!